A Heart Healed by Jennifer Johnson

Author:Jennifer Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-10T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Many in the community still reeled from Greta’s death, and Callie prayed for Zack daily as he tried to adjust to life without her. As expected, good things had come from the tragedy. Two people in the church received Jesus into their hearts, and some of Greta’s extended family had reunited.

Callie slipped on her rhinestone-studded red flip-flops, then tied a matching fat red ribbon in her hair. She rarely wore lipstick, but she adored the community’s Independence Day celebration, so she painted her lips bright red. Gazing at her reflection, she knew she looked cheesy, but she didn’t care.

Their community needed uplifting, and the Fourth of July was the perfect day to experience it. She walked to the main house and opened the back door. Emma and Emmy squealed when they saw her. Emma pointed to her lips. “I want red, too!”

Callie pulled a clear, shiny lip gloss out of her purse. “How ’bout some shine for the two of you?”

Emmy nodded and puckered her lips while Callie applied the gloss.

Emma crossed her arms in front of her chest and harrumphed.

“Or none,” said Pamela.

Emma dropped her hands and puckered her lips. Callie slathered on the gloss then winked at Emma. “You look beautiful, darling.”

“What about me?” asked Emmy.

Callie tickled her belly. “Of course, you do, as well.”

Pamela motioned to the door. “Come on, girls. We have to go.”

Callie’s chest tightened for her friend. Since Greta’s death, Pamela’s countenance had changed. She seemed to enjoy taking care of herself, fixing her hair and makeup, and she was ready to start college classes in the fall, but a hardness seemed to have set up in Pamela’s heart.

Callie prayed for her. She knew bitterness all too well, and it always took more than a person wanted to give. Having upgraded to a walking cast, Tammie hobbled into the room with Mike a few steps behind her. “Ben has already left, so it will be just you and Kirk in the truck. Is that okay?”

“No problem.”

Tammie kissed her forehead. “You look so cute, dear.”

Callie’s heart warmed. She felt so much a part of this family. More so than before she left. Nothing would make her run again.

Tammie pointed to the counter. “Mike, grab the cole slaw and corn on the cob. Callie, you and Kirk will have to take the pies and cookies.” She placed her finger on her mouth. “Pamela must have taken the chicken out to the car already.”

Mike grabbed his dishes. “We got them.” He motioned to the door. “We gotta go, or we’ll miss the blessing, which means we’ll be last in line for food.”

“Oh, hush.” Tammie swatted the air, but she hobbled to the door. “Kirk will be here in a sec. He had to go back to his house to pick up the soft drinks.”

“You go on ahead. We’ll meet you there.” Callie picked up the pie and tray of cookies and walked to Kirk’s truck. With the doors locked, she placed the dishes on the hood of the truck.

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